Circuit-interrupter construction and substation structural application thereof



W. M. LEEDS ETAL STRUCTURAL APPLICATION THEREOF 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1961 SePt- 1,1964 w. M. LEEDS ETAL 3,147,348

CRCUITTINTERRUPTER CONSTRUCTION AND SUBSTATIN STRUCTURAL APPLICATION THEREOF Filed OCT. 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 veo 7 E uNBoLTlNG LINE Fig.4.

wlTNEssEs v INVENToRs Winthrop M. Leeds 8 Frederick B. Johnson.

t BY 52 United States Patent O 3,147,348 l ClRClJlT-HNTERRUPTER CONSTRUCTN AND SUBSTA'HN STRUCTURAL AP- PLECATIGN THEREF Winthrop M. Leeds, Forest Hills, and Frederick B. .lohnson, Pleasant Hills, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Qorporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Fiied Get. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 147,212 15 Claims. (Cl. 20d-4S) This invention relates to circuit-interrupter constructions in general and, more particularly, to circuit-interrupting apparatus for interrupting relatively large amounts of power.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved simplified type of circuit-interrupting structure which is more economical to manufacture and easier to maintain than circuit-interrupting structures heretofore utilized in the industry.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved circuit-interrupting structure of the ydead-tank type in which the tank is of simplified structure and less costly to construct.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved substation equipment, preferably of a twopiece variety, in which the novel tank configuration of the present invention may be associated with seriallyrelated disconnecting switch structure in a novel manner.

In United States patent application filed January 23, 1959, Serial No. 788,668, now United States Patent 3,057,983, issued October 9, 1962, to Russell N. Yeckley, Joseph Sucha and Benjamin P. Baker, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, there is disclosed and claimed a novel type of horizontally-extending deadtank circuit-interrupting structure, the tank portion of which has upstanding cylindrical neck portions supporting terminal bushings. The terminal bushings extend downwardly interiorly into the ends of the elongated tank structure and support substantially horizontally within the tank structure an elongated arc-extinguishing assemblage. The entire circuit-interrupting structure of the aforesaid application is of a generally U-shape with the terminal bushings constituting the vertical portions of the U, and the arc-extinguishing assemblage and tank structure constituting the horizontally extending bight portion of the U-shaped structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to improve upon the tank structure of the aforesaid application, rendering it more economical to manufacture, and to re-locate the terminal bushings, and their direction of extension, so that they may be associated with the inspection doors of the grounded tank structure.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved substation structure, preferably of the two-piece type, in which the lower framework supports a tank structure, preferably of the aforesaid type, and the upper portion of the substation structure supports serially related disconnecting switches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved substation structure of the type set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph in which the rotatable insulator columns for the pair of spaced disconnecting switch structures may be interrelated byan interconnecting rod and simultaneously actuated in the opening and closing movements.

' Generally, the present invention comprises a groundedv metallic elongated circuit-interrupter tank having a pair of oppositely-extending terminal bushings mounted in the inspection doors disposed at opposite ends of the tank structure. The interior ends of the terminal studs extending through the terminal bushings are separably conice nected to disconnecting contact structure associated with the ends of the arc-extinguishing assemblage, which is independently supported interiorly of the tank structure.

A further aspect of the present invention contemplates the provision of a pair of upstanding framework supporting sections, the lower one of which supports the tank structure of the aforesaid type, wherein the outer ends of the conductor studs serve as terminal pads for the lower ends of a pair of upstanding disconnecting switch structures serially related with respect to the arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed interiorly of the aforesaid tank. As a result, the line terminal connections may be made to post insulators disposed at the upper extremity of the upper framework section.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a dead-tank type of circuit-interrupting structure embodying principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken substantially along the line II-Il of FIG. l through the right-hand end of the tank structure of FIGURE 1, illustrating the separable connection between the terminal stud of the terminal bushing and the interiorly-disposed arcextinguishing assemblage;

FIG. 3 fragmentarily illustrates the interiorly-disposed arc-extinguishing assemblage, the contact structure being illustrated in the closed-circuit position; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a novel application of the tank structure of FIG. l to substation equipment wherein the framework is of a two-piece type, the upper supporting piece carrying serially related disconnecting switch structure.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURE l thereof, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a dead-tank type of circuit interrupter. As shown, the circuit-interrupting structure 1 includes an elongated generally horizontally-extending tank 2 having a pair of oppositely-disposed inspection doors 3 carrying terminal bushings 4.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, each terminalbushing structure 4 includes an insulating shell 6 preferably formed from a suitable weather-resistant material, such as porcelain, and an axially-extending terminal stud 7. Preferably, a suitable dielectric medium 8, such as sulfur hexafluoride (SP6) gas, is disposed within the space surrounding the axially-extending terminal stud 7. However, oil-lled terminal bushings may be used, if preferred for certain applications.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal bushing 4, in addition, includes an outer cap portion 9, a mounting ange 11 and an interiorly-extending insulating shell 12, also preferably formed' from a suitable insulating material, such as porcelain.

Disposed interiorly within the tank structure 2, and extending substantially coaxially thereof, is an arc-extinguishing assemblage, generally designated by the reference numeral 13, and shown more clearly in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Disconnecting contact structure 14, preferably including resilient finger contacts 16, makes a separable connection with the interior end 17 of the terminal stud 7. As a result, with reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that removal of the inspection door 3 from the end 18 of the tank 2 by rotation upon the hinge element 19l results in the terminal bushing 4 being carried with the door 3 to a disconnected position with respect to the disconnecting contact structure 14.

Preferably a current transformer 21 is associated with the terminal bushing 4 and is disposed interiorly of the tank 2 closely surrounding the flange 11 of the bushing 4 so that the diameter of the current transformer may be as small as possible. rThis has an advantage, as comdisposed current transformer surrounding the neck portion of the tank structure, in that the current transformer 21 may be of minimum dimensions.

With reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be observed that generally, the arc-extinguishing assemblage 13 includes a spaced pair of insulating rod supports 23, which support, in spaced relation, a plurality, in this particular Vinstance three, serially-related arc-extinguishing units 25. Each arc-extinguishing unit 25 includes separable arcing contact structure and an orifice structure to morerefiectively direct the gas blast issuing from a highpressure chamber 27 through blast tubes 2S, 29 into the arcing region. A suitable blast-valve operating mechanism 31 may be interrelated with the contact-opening movement to time the blast of gas properly with respect to the contact-separating movement. As shown, an operating rod 33 interconnects a rotatable crank 34 with an operating crank-arm 36, the latter effecting longitudinal movementof the movable arcing contact assemblage. As set forth more in detail in the aforesaid patent application, the movable contact assemblage generally com prises a pair of 'spaced movable insulating rods 37 interconnected by cross-braces 3S, each of which carries a movable arcing contact substantially centrally thereof.

Generally, the arc-extinguishing assemblage 13 functions to draw a plurality of serially-related arcs in the manner set forth in the aforesaid patent application; and the blasting of gas from the high-pressure chamber 27 effects rapid arc extinction.

' FIG. 4 illustrates an application of the improved tank configuration 2 to a two-piece substation structure. As shown in FIG. 4, the substation structure 39 includes a lower portion 41 and an upper portion 42. The lower supporting portion 41 comprises a plurality of upstanding angle members 43 and diagonally-extending interconnecting brace portions 44.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tank structure 2 is carried by the upper end of the lower portion 41, and theother ends 48 of the terminal bushings 4 constitute terminal pads 49 for the disconnecting switch structures 51, 52, which are mainly supported by the upper framework portion 42. As shown, a pair of rotatable insulator supports 54 are preferably aligned, and are mechanically interconnected by an interconnecting rod 55, the latter being rotated by a suitable operating crank 56. The upper post insulators 58`support jaw contacts 59, which make contacting engagement, as shown, with vertically-extending swinging disconnecting blades 60.

The mechanism for translating the rotative movement of the insulator supports 54 into swinging opening and closing movement of the disconnecting switch blade 60 may be of the type set forth in United States Patent 2,436,296, issued February 17, 1948, to Howard W. Graybill and Paul Olsson, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be apparent that the tank structure of the present invention 'is more economical to fabricate than the tank structure of the aforesaid patent application inasmuch as fewer openings are required, and the terminal-bushing structures are carried by the inspection doors of the breaker. To support the arc-extinguishing assemblage 13 in a fixed position relative to the tank 2 upon opening of the inspection doors 3, preferably insulating rod structure 62 may be employed removably connected to interior boss portions 63, as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, swinging opening movement of the hinged inspection doors 3 will result in access to the interior of the tank structure 2. If removal of the arc-extinguishing assemblage 13 is desired,gthe,insulating rod supports 62 may be detached from the interior lug portions 63 and by employment of suitable rails, lateral removal of the arc-extinguishing assemblage 13 may be effected. Such rail structure may be of the type such as Set forth in United States patent 4 application filed October 9, 1959, Serial No. 845,547, now United States Patent 3,007,021, issued October 31, 1961, to Thomas O. Prunty and Robert G. Colclaser, Jr., and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

It will be noted that a particular advantage of the twopiece substation structure, such as illustrated in FIG. 4, is that only a single foundation is required for both the disconnecting switches and the circuit-interrupting device. The line connections 70 are situated at the outer ends of the post supports 58 and, consequently, at an adequate distance above ground level 7S.

Although there has been illustrated and described a specific structure and an application thereof to substation equipment, it is to be clearly understood that the same was merely by way of illustration, and that changes and modifications may readily be made therein by those skilled in the at, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

l. A circuit interrupter including means defining a tank, an inspection door for said tank, a terminal bushing supported by the inspection door and carried thereby, a terminal stud extending through the terminal bushing, an arc-extinguishing assemblage having separable arcing contacts disposed within the tank, and Vseparable disconnecting contact structure including the Vinterior end of the terminal stud for transmitting current through the terminal bushing and to the arc-extinguishing assemblage.

2. The combination in a high-power circuit interrupter of a grounded tank at least partially filled with an arc-extinguishing medium, an arc-extinguishing assemblage having separable arcing contacts disposed within the grounded tank, at least one inspection door associated with the tank, a terminal bushing supported by and carried with the inspection door when the latter is opened for maintenance purposes, disconnecting contact structure associated with the arc-extinguishing assemblage, a terminal conductor extending longitudinally through the terminal bushing, and the interior end of the terminal bushing making a separable connection with said disconnecting contact structure.

3. A dead-tank circuit interrupter including an elongated grounded metallic tank, inspection doors disposed at opposite ends of the tank, av terminaly bushing carried by each inspection door, an arc-extinguishing assemblage having separable arcing contacts disposed within the tank and having disconnecting contact structures at oppositeY ends thereof, terminal studs extending through the terminal bushings, and the interior ends of the terminal studs making separable engagement with the disconnecting Contact structures.

4. A dead-tank circuit interrupter including an elongated grounded metallic tank, inspection doors disposed at opposite ends of the tank, a terminal bushing carried by each inspection door, an arc-extinguishing assemblage having separable arcing contacts disposed within the tank and having disconnecting contact structures at opposite ends thereof, terminal studs extending through terminal bushings, the interior ends of the terminal studs making separable engagement with the disconnecting contact structures, and insulating supporting means independently of the terminal bushings for supporting the arc-extinguishing assemblage within the tank spaced from the interior walls of the tank.

5. A circuit interrupter including means defining a tank, an inspection door for said tank, a terminal bushing supported by the inspection door and carried thereby,` a terminal stud extending through the terminal bushing, an arc-extinguishing assemblage having separable arcing contacts disposed within the tank, separable disconnecting contact structure including the interior end of the terminal stud for transmitting current through the terminal bushing and to the arc-extinguishing assemblage, and a ring-shaped current transformer encompassing the terminal bushing and carried by said inspection door.

6. A circuit interrupter including means defining a tank, a hinged inspection door for said tank, a terminal bushing supported by the hinged inspection door and carried thereby, a terminal stud extending through the terminal bushing, an arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed within the tank having one or more separably arcing contacts, and separable disconnecting contact structure including the interior end of the terminal stud for transmitting current through the terminal bushing and to the arc-extinguishing assemblage.

7. Substation structure including means delining an upstanding framework, an elongated metallic grounded circuit interrupter tank supported by said upstanding framework, a pair of inspection doors disposed at the ends of said elongated metallic tank, each inspection door carrying a terminal bushing having a fixed terminal stud therewithin, an arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed within the grounded tank and electrically connected into the circuit by said pair of terminal bushings, said arc-extinguishing assemblage having cooperable disconnecting contact structure at the ends thereof making separable engagement with the inner ends of said terminal studs during maintenance operations, at least one disconnecting switch structure, and the outer end of at least one terminal bushing constituting the terminal pad for said disconnecting switch structure.

8. Substation structure including means defining an upstanding framework, an elongated metallic grounded circuit interrupter tank supported by said upstanding framework, a pair of inspection doors disposed at the ends of said elongated metallic tank, each inspection door carrying a terminal bushing having a fixed terminal stud disposed therewithin, an arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed within the grounded tank and electrically connected into the circuit by said pair of terminal bushings, said arc-extinguishing assemblage having cooperable disconnecting contact structure at the ends thereof making separable engagement with the inner ends of said terminal studs during maintenance operations, a pair of spaced disconnecting switch structures having movable blades extending substantially vertically when in the closedswitch position, and the outer ends of the terminal bushings constituting terminal pads for the lower ends of the two disconnecting switch structures.

9. Substation structure including means defining an upstanding framework, an elongated metallic grounded circuit interrupter tank supported by said upstanding framework, a pair of inspection doors disposed at the ends of said elongated metallic tank, each inspection door carrying a terminal bushing having a fixed terminal stud disposed therewithin, an arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed within the grounded tank and electrically connected into the circuit by said pair of terminal bushings, a pair of spaced disconnecting switch structures having movable blades extending substantially vertically when in the closed-switch position, the outer ends of the terminal bushings constituting terminal pads for the lower ends of the two disconnectng switch structures, a pair of generally horizontally-extending rotatable insulator columns for actuating the disconnecting switch structures, and rotatable interconnectng rod means for simultaneously rotating the insulator columns for opening and closing the disconnecting switch structures.

10. A substantially two-piece substation structure including a lower upstanding grounded framework, an elongated metallic grounded circuit-interrupter tank supported by said upstanding framework, a pair of inspection doors disposed at the ends of said elongated metallic tank, each inspection door carrying a terminal bushing having a fixed terminal stud disposed therewithin, an arcextinguishing assemblage disposed within the grounded tank and electrically connected into the circuit by said pair of terminal bushings, at least one disconnecting switch structure, an upper separately-portable grounded framework surmounted upon the lower upstanding grounded framework, said disconnecting switch structure being supported by the upper framework, and a separable terminal-pad structure for said disconnecting switch structure carried by the outer end of at least one terminal bushing.

11. The combination in a two-piece substation structure of a lower upstanding grounded framework, a circuit-interrupter tank having an arc-extinguishing assemblage therein supported by said lower upstanding grounded framework, an upper separately-portable grounded framework surmounted upon said lower grounded framework, and disconnecting switch structure electrically connected in series-circuit relation with said arc-extinguishing assemblage substantially supported by said upper separately-portable grounded framework.

12. Substation structure including means defining an upstanding framework, means defining an elongated metallic grounded circuit interrupter tank supported by said upstanding framework, a pair of outwardly extending terminal bushings at opposite ends of the tank having fixed terminal studs disposed therewithin, an arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed within the grounded tank and electrically connected into the circuit by said pair of terminal bushings, at least one disconnecting switch structure, and the outer end of at least one terminal bushing constituting the terminal pad for said disconnecting switch structure.

13. Substation structure including means defining an upstanding framework, means defining an elongated metallic grounded circuit interrupter tank supported by said upstanding framework, a pair of outwardly extending terminal bushings at opposite ends of the tank having lfixed terminal studs disposed therewithin, an arc-extinguishing assemblage disposed within the grounded tank and electrically connected into the circuit by said pair of terminal bushings, a pair of spaced disconnecting switch structures having movable blades extending substantially vertically when in the close-switch position, and the outer ends of the terminal bushings constituting terminal pads for the lower ends of the two disconnecting switch structures.

14. Substation structure including means defining an upstanding grounded framework, means defining a grounded circuit-interrupter tank supported by said 11pstanding grounded framework, a terminal bushing extending generally laterally out of said circuit-interrupter tank, a three-insulator type air-break disconnecting switch having the center insulator rotatable for effecting swinging disconnecting blade action, a line terminal connected to an end insulator supporting jaw contact, and said terminal bushing comprising the other insulator of the three-insulator type disconnecting switch.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the tank has an inspection door carrying the terminal bushing, an arc-extinguishing assemblage having separable arcing contacts is disposed within the tank, said assemblage has disconnecting contact structure at one end thereof, and the inner end of the terminal bushing makes separable disconnecting contact engagement with said disconnecting contact structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,324,909 Krantz Dec. 16, 1919 1,508,201 Treanor Sept. 9, 1924 1,706,746 Rice Mar. 26, 1929 1,895,907 Baum Ian. 31, 1933 2,100,753 Scofield et al. NOV. 30, 1937 2,436,296 Graybill et al. Feb. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 459,868 Great Britain Ian. 18, 1937 

11. THE COMBINATION IN A TWO-PIECE SUBSTATION STRUCTURE OF A LOWER UPSTANDING GROUNDED FRAMEWORK, A CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER TANK HAVING AN ARC-EXTINGUISHING ASSEMBLAGE THEREIN SUPPORTED BY SAID LOWER UPSTANDING GROUNDED FRAMEWORK, AN UPPER SEPARATELY-PORTABLE GROUNDED FRAMEWORK SURMOUNTED UPON SAID LOWER GROUNDED FRAMEWORK, AND DISCONNECTING SWITCH STRUCTURE ELECTRICALLY CON- 